Agenda item

1)  To consider the following motion received from Councillor M B Wyatt:

REDUCING ACOUSTIC STRESS FROM FIREWORKS

This Council notes:

·         That firework displays are common throughout the world and are the focal point of many cultural and religious celebrations.

·         The rising number of complaints about all year round noise nuisance from fireworks.

·         The impact loud bangs have on some people with mental ill health, some people who are anxious about loud noises, some people with a disability for whom loud noises can be extremely disturbing and those people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

·         The distress suffered by many household pets and wild animals because of the use of fireworks.

·         Increasing public health concerns surrounding the use of fireworks.

This Council believes that everyone has a right to enjoy firework displays. This Council also believes that this should not be at the expense of the amenity of others and notes the work done by the people of Collecchio in the province of Parma in Italy to introduce legislation to reduce acoustic stress.

This Council believes that with the increasing availability of quieter fireworks which can create “quieter” or “low noise” or “silent” displays which reduce the noise nuisance and impact on others, it is time for the Council to investigate the creation of more peaceful firework displays that can be enjoyed by all.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1.    To require all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries on council owned land to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.

2.    To actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks.

3.    To investigate whether quieter or low noise fireworks could be used at council events as an alternative to the existing fireworks provision.        

2)  To consider the following motion received from Councillor S Sheahan:

“In the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic and stark predictions of an economic downturn in the District the likes of which have not been seen since the 1980's, this Council resolves to - 

Recognise the importance of the Ivanhoe Line in the Council's regeneration strategy, and the key role it could play in attracting sustained investment into our District,

Closely align proposals for the restoration of the Ivanhoe Line with the wider environmental agenda, including climate change, air quality and road congestion,

Form a working partnership with the County Council and other interested parties, including CRIL, with a clear remit to take all practical steps available, including supporting necessary feasibility studies, to move the project forward,

Ensure that the Council's commitment to the Ivanhoe Line is reflected in all relevant strategic plans, including the local plan.”

Councillor M B Wyatt moved the motion as set out in the agenda and presented it to Members. He advised that he had brought the motion forward due to the number of residents that had expressed both their anger and annoyance at the noise level from the firework displays, which affected both residents with disabilities and animals. He noted that many enjoyed firework displays, but due to the adverse effect that it they had, the loud noises should no longer be part of them. He urged Members to support the motion.

Councillor A Woodman seconded the motion. He thanked Councillor M B Wyatt for putting forward the motion and remembered when fireworks were restricted to Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve, which would allow pet owners to prepare for the disruption. He noted that it had become the norm for fireworks to be set off at random times of the year. He highlighted the numbers of cats and dogs that showed distress on hearing fireworks and the significant proportion of the residents of the United Kingdom that were diagnosed with autism. He stated, that with the facts in mind, it was sensible for the Council to look at ways it could mitigate the stress caused by the noise whilst maintaining the spectacle to be enjoyed. He believed that the Council could use its social media channels to promote the outcome of the motion and was happy to work with officers to set an example moving forward.

Councillor S Sheahan stated that there was nothing really to disagree with and that the Labour Group would be supporting the motion.

Councillor M Hay stated that, as someone who used to work as a pyro-technic, when a debate on the subject took place there were those that were affected in a negative way and as a former pet owner, whose cats were affected he empathised with the problem. He noted that one of the common themes when the subject came up was who the fireworks where in the hands of and that organised events were always deemed far safer and where held at appropriate times. He highlighted that the calls for restrictions on fireworks were more aimed at members of the public setting them off at random times. He expressed concerns at  the direction the motion was aimed, more at professional displays, than the nub of the matter, which was the general sale of the devices. He advised that there was no reason not to support the motion and asked that any public awareness campaign was well researched and fact based.

Councillor M B Wyatt thanked Members for their contribution and looked forward to future reports on the issue.

The Chairman then put the following motion to the vote. It was

RESOLVED THAT:

This Council notes:

·         That firework displays are common throughout the world and are the focal point of many cultural and religious celebrations.

·         The rising number of complaints about all year round noise nuisance from fireworks

·         The impact loud bangs have on some people with mental ill health, some people who are anxious about loud noises, some people with a disability for whom loud noises can be extremely disturbing and those people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

·         The distress suffered by many household pets and wild animals because of the use of fireworks.

·         Increasing public health concerns surrounding the use of fireworks

This Council believes that everyone has a right to enjoy firework displays. This Council also believes that this should not be at the expense of the amenity of others and notes the work done by the people of Collecchio in the province of Parma in Italy to introduce legislation to reduce acoustic stress.

This Council believes that with the increasing availability of quieter fireworks which can create “quieter” or “low noise” or “silent” displays which reduce the noise nuisance and impact on others, it is time for the Council to investigate the creation of more peaceful firework displays that can be enjoyed by all.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1.    To require all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries on council owned land to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people

2.    To actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks

3.    To investigate whether quieter or low noise fireworks could be used at council events as an alternative to the existing fireworks provision.        

Councillor S Sheahan moved the motion as set out in the agenda and presented it to Members. He noted that he had been given three files of documents in relation to the re-opening of the Ivanhoe Line by Frank Straw, the last Labour Leader of the Council, and that the documents were a testament to the importance of the Ivanhoe Line, that was attached to the communities that stood to benefit from it. He advised that the motion aimed to set out a few steps which the Council could undertake to position itself to throw some weight behind the line. He outlined the two reasons for bringing forward the motion, which were the community group, CRIL, and the same worrying economic circumstances, under which the Ivanhoe Line was conceived back in the 1980s. He stated that restoring the passenger line between Burton and Leicester held the promise of a transformative effect on the local economy, whilst reaping environmental benefits.

Councillor S Sheahan informed Members that strategic plans were supportive of the line and that functional partnerships needed to be built with LCC, CRIL and others to create a sense of shared responsibility and shared endeavour.

Councillor J Legrys seconded the motion and reserved his right to speak.

Councillor T Eynon stated that she was pleased to be able to support the motion, as when she first moved to the area and worked in London, she was reassured that there would be a train line within a matter of years to help with the commute, however, the line never appeared. She advised that it was a source of frustration  that nothing was ever done, but highlighted that it was a new era, and that a paper, that had been considered by LCC Cabinet that day, had made reference to the potential re-opening of the line. She was pleased to see that the project had moved forward with a sense of enthusiasm and that all the Councils along the line had put up money to support the project. She felt that cross party support was needed and, if included in strategic plans, it would help with getting the support from Government.

Councillor C Benfield welcomed the motion and noted the effort that the Council could bring in the identification of suitable sites for stations, along with ways of getting users to the stations such as cycle ways and bus routes. He highlighted that the wider implications of the line would be dealt with by the Department of Transport and that it was a very exciting time. He was behind the motion.

Councillor J Legrys advised that he was happy to second the motion, as it was essential that all the Councils along the line were supporting the project and he was keen on CRIL being the lead body. He was very supportive of the what the Council was doing with regards to bringing the line back  and was aware that locations of stations needed to be established and that it needed to go in the Local Plan. He was pragmatic that the Council could achieve what it could and that the momentum was pushing an open door on the subject.

Councillor D Bigby noted that the Labour group had looked at including a clause in the motion to ask the Council to look at identifying sites for stations and protecting them under the Local Plan, but were advised that it would not be possible. He felt it was unfortunate as suitable sites were available now and during the time of the feasibility study, the sites were lost. He hoped that once the study was completed, the sites identified and concluded that the Ivanhoe Line was a cost effective proposition, the Council could move to protect the sites until the project had started.

Councillor A Black asked that the large businesses close to the line be consulted and possible investment sought.

Councillor R Ashman moved the following amendment:

“In the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic and the predictions of an economic downturn this council welcomes the investment from Central Government, Leicestershire County Council, North West Leicestershire District and other councils, to support funding the feasibility study for opening the Ivanhoe Line.

This Council resolves to: 

Work with all agencies to support the restoration of the Ivanhoe Line as part of the proposals to improve the rail and public transport connectivity across NW Leicestershire District and the East Midlands.

Recognise the importance of the East Midlands Councils and North West Leicestershire District Councils evidence to the Rail Needs Assessment for the Midlands and North, which includes the benefits of restoring the Ivanhoe Line, a request to accelerate plans for the electrification of the Midland Mainline and to improve the overall connectivity to Segro, East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Kegworth and the Northern Parishes with the rest of the District and the East Midlands.

Closely align proposals for the restoration of the Ivanhoe Line with the wider environmental agenda, including climate change, air quality and road congestion.

Form a working partnership with the County Council and other interested parties, including CRIL, with a clear remit to take all practical steps available, including supporting necessary feasibility studies, to move the project forward.

Ensure that the Council's commitment to the Ivanhoe Line is reflected in all relevant strategic plans, including the local plan.”

Councillor R Ashman advised that the administration supported the feasibility study and the re-instatement of the Ivanhoe Line, but felt that it should be linked to work being carried out to improve connectivity across North West Leicestershire and the Midlands as a whole. He thanked all the MPs across the region for their continued efforts to re-open the line and securing funding of £50k towards the study, and along with funding from LCC and Local Councils, the study could be properly funded. He informed that proposals had been put forward to the Government to improve connectivity across the Midlands as a whole, which not only included the Ivanhoe Line but a list of other projects. He stated that was important that the transport infrastructure and connectivity, as part of the significant development that was taking place in the district, be considered, and could be done by looking at a variety of transport options. He hoped that Members supported the motion.

Councillor R Blunt seconded the amendment.

Councillor S Sheahan felt that the amendment was harmless enough and the Labour group would be voting accordingly.

The Chairman then put the amendment to the vote.  The motion was declared CARRIED. 

Councillor S Sheahan stated that he was very happy with the supportive nature of the comments and the amendment was harmless. He felt that the substantive motion that was before them was very good and he had no problems with supporting it as it stood.

The Chairman then put the substantive motion, as amended, to the vote.  The motion was declared CARRIED.

It was therefore

RESOLVED THAT:

“In the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic and the predictions of an economic downturn this council welcomes the investment from Central Government, Leicestershire County Council, North West Leicestershire District and other councils, to support funding the feasibility study for opening the Ivanhoe Line.

This Council resolves to: 

Work with all agencies to support the restoration of the Ivanhoe Line as part of the proposals to improve the rail and public transport connectivity across NW Leicestershire District and the East Midlands.

Recognise the importance of the East Midlands Councils and North West Leicestershire District Councils evidence to the Rail Needs Assessment for the Midlands and North, which includes the benefits of restoring the Ivanhoe Line, a request to accelerate plans for the electrification of the Midland Mainline and to improve the overall connectivity to Segro, East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Kegworth and the Northern Parishes with the rest of the District and the East Midlands.

Closely align proposals for the restoration of the Ivanhoe Line with the wider environmental agenda, including climate change, air quality and road congestion.

Form a working partnership with the County Council and other interested parties, including CRIL, with a clear remit to take all practical steps available, including supporting necessary feasibility studies, to move the project forward.

Ensure that the Council's commitment to the Ivanhoe Line is reflected in all relevant strategic plans, including the local plan.”